Pear Tree Named &#39;PE4UNIBO&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Pyrus communis  L. pear tree variety named ‘PE4UNIBO’is particularly characterized by the following features: medium vigorous trees with semi-upright habit; bearing habitus mainly on 1 year old shoots and subsequently on 2-3 years old branches (like ‘Bartlett’); partial grafting incompatibility with quince rootstocks; medium late ripening (about 15 days after ‘Bartlett’); medium productivity; big size of the fruit (about 300 g) with pyriform-elongated shape (like ‘Abbé Fétel’); yellow-green skin with a nice red over-color on 70-80% of surface; tender and juicy white flesh, at full ripening stage and with a very good flavor and sweet taste; long storage capacity in cold room up to 6 months.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Pyrus communis L.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘PE4UNIBO’

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to European Community Plant Variety Office Plant Breeders' Rights Application No. 2014/0972 filed May 9, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of pear tree, botanically known as Pyrus communis L. of the Rosaceae family, and hereinafter referred to by the variety denomination ‘PE4UNIBO’.

The new Pyrus variety is a product of a controlled breeding program conducted by the inventors, Stefano Musacchi, Silviero Sansavini and Vincenzo Ancarani, in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy. The variety is fully owned by Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a new Pyrus variety with high fruit quality, attractive fruit with red over-color and long storability in cold room.

The new Pyrus variety originated from a cross made by the inventors in 1992 in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy. The female or seed parent is the Pyrus communis L. variety designated ‘Abbé Fétel’ (unpatented). The male or pollen parent is the Pyrus communis L. variety designated ‘Cascade’ (unpatented). The new Pyrus variety was discovered and selected by the inventors within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in 2003 in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy.

Asexual reproduction of the new Pyrus variety by budding and grafting was first performed in August 2003 in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new variety are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new variety reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘PE4UNIBO’ which in combination distinguish this pear tree as a new and distinct variety:

1. Trees with medium vigor;

2. Medium productivity;

3. High quality fruit with good flavor;

4. Large fruit size;

5. Green-yellow skin with a nice red overcolor; and

6. Long storage capacity

In comparison to the parental varieties ‘Abbé Fétel’ and ‘Cascade’, the claimed variety differs primarily in the traits listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Female Parent Male Parent New Variety ‘Abbé Fétel’ ‘Cascade’ Trait ‘PE4UNIBO’ (unpatented) (unpatented) Compatibility Partially Partially Partially with quince rootstock Fruit Shape Pyriform Pyriform Turbinate elongated elongated Fruit Size Large Large Large Skin color Green-yellow with Yellow Yellow with red red overcolor overcolor on 90% of skin Taste Sweet Sweet Sweet Harvest time Medium late Late (30 Late (20 (15 days after days after days after ‘Bartlett’ pear) ‘Bartlett’ pear) ‘Bartlett’ pear)

Of the many commercial varieties known to the present inventor(s), the most similar in comparison to the new Pyrus variety ‘PE4UNIBO’ is the Pyrus variety ‘Bartlett’ (unpatented), in the following characteristics described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 New Variety Comparison Variety Characteristic ‘PE4UNIBO’ ‘BARTLETT’ Growth habit Semi-upright Upright Compatibility Partially Partially with quince rootstock Skin color Green-yellow with red Yellow overcolor on 90% of skin Fruit Shape Pyriform elongated Pyriform elongated Size Large Large Harvest time Medium late (15 days Late (30 days after after ‘Bartlett’ pear) ‘Bartlett’ pear)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Pyrus variety ‘PE4UNIBO’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘PE4UNIBO’.

FIG. 1—shows a tree of ‘PE4UNIBO’, at six years old;

FIG. 2—shows typical fruits of ‘PE4UNIBO;

FIG. 3—shows the leaves of ‘PE4UNIBO;

FIGS. 4 and 5—show different images of the flowers of ‘PE4UNIB0’, at full bloom.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Pyrus variety ‘PE4UNIBO’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new variety may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the pear tree.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe trees of ‘PE4UNIBO’ as grown in the pear farm in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. The pear farm in which PE4UNIBO is growing has a clay soil; the climate is temperate continental with high summer temperatures and low winter temperatures; the orchard has a drip irrigation system used for fertigation.

Unless otherwise stated, the detailed botanical description includes observations, measurements and values based on six years old ‘PE4UNIBO’ trees grown in the pear farm in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy from 2009 to 2014. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of trees of ‘PE4UNIBO’. The measurements of any individual tree, or any group of trees, of the new variety may vary from the stated average.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately 10:00 am in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy.

All of the trees of ‘PE4UNIBO’, insofar as they have been observed, have been identical in all the characteristics described below.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Pyrus communis L.         -   Commercial.—Pyrus cv. PE4UNIBO. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Pyrus variety designated ‘Abbé Fétel’             (unpatented).         -   Male or pollen parent.—Pyrus variety designated ‘Cascade’             (unpatented). -   Propagation: budding and grafting. -   Growing conditions:     -   -   Light intensities.—Full sunlight.         -   Temperature (in the vegetative season, from March to             September, year 2013).—Minimum: 0.1° C. in March Maximum:             38.9 ° C. in August Medium: 8° C. (March) to 26.3° C.             (July).         -   Fertilization.—A balanced fertilizer with level of N 80             kg/ha; P₂O₅ 50 kg/ha; K₂O 120 kg/ha.         -   Growth regulators.—not used.         -   Pruning or trimming requirements.—winter pruning. -   Tree:     -   -   Age.—Observed trees were six years old and grafted on quince             Rootstock BA29 with interstem of Burré Hardy pear.         -   Vigor.—medium vigor; early bearing; late and medium             flowering; medium productivity; no biennial bearing.             Partially compatible with quince when grafted on it.         -   Type of bearing.—In the early years bears fruit mainly on             one year old shoots then on 2-3 years branches (like             ‘Bartlett’).         -   Form.—Semi-Upright habitus and conical branches inserted             with a narrow crotch angle. Form depends on the training             system used.         -   Habit.—Semi-upright habitus. Medium-high sized tree with one             trunk and one leader; main branches spreading laterally             semi-upward but the new growth is upright; symmetrical crown             and rounded shape. The one year old shoots have a “zig-zag”             growth pattern.         -   Branching habit.—Main branches angle is 35° to 75° with             respect to trunk if allowed to grow naturally. The crotch             angle changes along the trunk: the basal branches have a             more right crotch angle whereas the upper and apical             branches have a more narrow crotch angle.         -   Density.—medium-low density.         -   Size at maturity.—Height: About 3 m Spread: About 1.55 m.         -   Trunk.—Height (up to leaders): About 2.7 m Diameter: About             51.3 mm (measured 20 cm above the grafter point) Texture: At             first, it is smooth with numerous lenticels, then it shows             numerous rough lenticels and with cracking and scaly             appearance. Bark color: Primarily RHS 197C with RHS 187A             under bark Trunk Lenticels (irregular from rounded to             elongated): Length: About 3.3 mm (from 0.85 to 6.02 mm)             Width: About 1.1 mm (from 0.34 to 1.63 mm) Color: RHS 197A             Density: 2.01 n°/cm².         -   Branches,—Number per tree: About 14 (from 10 to 17) Length:             Varies due to pyramidal shape of tree; maximum of 70 cm to             110 cm; minimum of 15 cm to 50 cm. Diameter: About 10.3 mm             to 27.6 mm Surface texture: The 2 years old branches are             smooth; thereafter the 3 years old branches show a rough             surface with numerous scaly lenticels. Pubescence: Absent.         -   Color.—Mature (after about 3 years old): RHS 201B (sunny             side); RHS 201A (shady side) New Growth: RHS 176A (sunny             side); RHS 177B (shady side) Internode length (in the middle             of branches): About 3.0 cm (About 2.5 cm to 4 cm) Internode             diameter (in the middle of branches): About 4.5 mm (About             3.8 mm to 5.2 mm).         -   Branch lenticels.—rounded. Length: About 1.45 mm Width:             About 1.63 mm Color: RHS 168C Density: 1.95 n°/cm².         -   One year old shoot lenticels (from elliptic to             rounded).—Length: About 0.87 mm to 2.57 mm Width: About 0.8             mm to 1.17 mm Color: RHS 168D Density: 2.6 n°/cm².         -   Spur.—Present: Yes Distance between each spur: On the 3             years old branches, the distance is about 25 mm to 50 mm             Diameter of each spur: About 3.92 mm Number of fruit per             spur: About 1 to 3.         -   Leaves.—Arrangement: Alternate; in the new shoot there are             multiple leaves (normally 3), petiolated; arranged upwards             in relation to the shoot.         -   Lamina.—Size: Length: About 60.2 mm (from 48 to 82 fully             expanded leaf) Width: About 40.1 mm (from 27 to 62 fully             expanded leaf) Length/width ratio: 1.5 Overall Shape: the             shape of leaf blade is oval-obovate with a medium-short             pointed tip; the leaf area is medium-small: 19.4 cm²; the             longitudinal axis is medium curved; Base shape: right-angled             Apex shape: from right-angled to obtuse Margin: bluntly             serrate with a medium depth of incisions of margin Texture:             Upper surface: glabrous Under surface: glabrous Pubescence:             Upper surface: absent Under surface: absent Color (mature             leaves): Upper surface: RHS 147A Under surface: RHS 147C             Color (immature leaves): Upper surface: RHS 146A Under             surface: RHS 147C.         -   Venation.—Type: pinnate venation from central vein to the             leaf edge Color: RHS 153A.         -   Petiole.—Length: About 25.7 mm Diameter: About 10.2 mm             Color: RHS 144C.         -   Stipule.—Arrangement: present; normally arranged at the base             of the petiole Length (distance of stipules from basal             attachment of petiole): About 0 mm to 10 mm Width: About 4             mm to 17 mm. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Blooming time.—Full bloom on about April 5^(th) (late             flowering).         -   Blooming period.—About 7 to 10 days.         -   Fragrance.—not detected.         -   Type.—corymb.         -   Number of flowers per inflorescence.—About 4 to 6.         -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: About 9 cm Depth: About 6 cm.         -   Buds.—Terminal Buds: Number per spur: About 1 to 2 Shape:             large and pointed Length: About 6.98 mm Width: About 4.53 mm             Color: Apex, RHS 165A and base, RHS 165A Texture: Slightly             tomentose; the bud support is medium sized. Pubescence:             present; RHS 167A Lateral Buds: Number per spur: About 1             Shape: medium size and pointed; the position of vegetative             bud in relation to shoot is slightly held out; the bud             support has generally a medium size. Length: About 5.67 mm             Width: About 2.94 mm Color: Apex, RHS 165A, and base, RHS             165A Texture: slightly tomentose Pubescence: RHS 167A Flower             Buds (on 2 years old branches): Number per spur: 1 Shape:             small and pointed Length: About 6.98 mm Width: About 3.44 mm             Color: RHS 165A.         -   Petals.—Number per flower: Five Overall shape: the margins             of petals touch each other Apex shape: rounded to elongated             Base shape: rounded Texture (upper surface): smooth Texture             (lower surface): smooth Margin: entire, slightly corrugated.         -   Sepals.—Number per flower: Five. -   Fruit:     -   -   Keeping quality.—The fruit keeps well on the tree; The fruit             can be stored in cold temperature conditions for up to 6             months without loss of firmness and juiciness. The shelf             life ranges from one to two weeks without having a loss of             firmness and juiciness.         -   Maturity when described.—Ripe for eating.         -   Maturity period after full bloom.—About 142 days after full             bloom on August 25^(th).         -   Type.—Pome.         -   General shape.—Pyriform elongated (like ‘Abbé Fétel’), with             the maximum diameter clearly towards calyx; the fruit             profile is concave. The stem ranges from medium-large to             large, sometime without the stalk cavity. The skin shows a             red over-color on the 70-80% of surface and slight             russeting. The lenticels are medium-small and rusty.         -   Average weight.—About 303 g.         -   Fruit Size.—Average height: About 114.7 mm Average diameter             (at widest point): About 67.0 mm Height/thickness ratio:             1.7.         -   Stem.—Length: About 25.4 mm Diameter: About 6.4 mm Color:             RHS 199A.         -   Basin.—Depth: About 8.2 mm Width: About 22.3 mm.         -   Calyx.—Depth: About 5.3 mm Width: About 5.6 mm Crowning at             calyx end: weak Calyx tube: Closed (it does not communicate             with locules); at harvest, the sepals are converging or             erect.         -   Skin.—Thickness: medium Texture: smooth to slightly rough             Color: ground color: RHS 153A; over-color: RHS 178B             Lenticels: rounded and rough Length: About 1.38 mm Width:             About 1.27 mm Color: RHS 197A Density: 24 n°/cm².         -   Flesh.—Firmness (at picking time): 5.5 to 6.5 kg/cm² Color:             RHS 157C Texture: fine, tender and juicy; Aroma: rather             aromatic, good flavor and sweet taste Sugar content (at             picking time): 13.1 to 13.6° Brix Acidity/Starch (at picking             time) 3.75 to 3.79 g/lt malic acid Core: Symmetry of core:             slightly asymmetric Distinctness of core lines: medium             Locules: Number (per fruit): 5 Length: About 17.8 mm Width:             About 8.35 mm Form: open. -   Seeds:     -   -   Number per fruit.—About 2 to 10.         -   Number per locule.—About 2.         -   Shape.—elliptic.         -   Length.—About 11.1 mm.         -   Width.—About 5.4 mm.         -   Texture.—smooth.         -   Color.—RHS 165A. -   Use: Fresh market. -   Disease/pest resistance: unknown; test for tolerance to Fire Blight     (Erwinia amylovora) in progress. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: None observed. -   Winter hardiness: no winter cold damage to wood and buds of dormant     pear trees have been observed during the years; but open flowers and     young fruitlets are killed by exposure to −1.5 to −3° C., depending     on the length of exposure. -   Drought/heat tolerance: Tolerant to temperatures up to 38° C.,     growth is limited by drought periods without irrigation. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Pyrus communis L. pear tree named ‘PE4UNIBO’, as illustrated and described herein. 